Image: Roman Kraft. unsplash-image-ZoAlN3-pJO8.jpg
“I could never do that!”
Is that ever our thought when we hear stories of people sharing their faith? People sound very gifted and full of power and confidence.
However, we have all been given natural gifts by God; skills we can use to help other people hear about Jesus. Many of these natural skills are things we use every day and, with a little imagination, they can become tools in God’s hand to grow his kingdom.
Do you enjoy cooking or baking? What about sewing, knitting or crochet? Do you spend time making clothes or toys for yourself or relatives? Do you relax or come close to God by picking up an instrument or playing the piano? Is there a craft corner in your house spilling over with paints, paper, shells and various types of glue? What about the shed in the back garden full of tools, wood and half-finished projects. Are you up early on a Saturday to join the local Park Run? The list of natural gifts is endless, whatever gift you have God can use it to help foster relationships and develop conversations that he can use to touch people’s hearts.
These natural gifts, things we are good at, that we have fostered and enjoy, can break down barriers and open doors to friendships and friendships are often the initial step on someone’s journey of faith. The Mahabba Network encourages ordinary followers of Jesus like you and me to love the Muslim people in our area. One way to show love is to share the things we enjoy doing. In doing so we build a friendship, impart a skill, affirm someone’s value and in those times together, natural conversations about life and faith will occur naturally.
Where do you see Muslim people in your area? Do they come to the school gate, take their children to the local play park? Or is there a café or shopping precinct where people hang out with their friends? What about the gym or swimming pool? These are places where you can go, meet people and share your life. Maybe talking about how you spend your free time and then invite an interested person to come and see and join in.
You may be surprised when you offer someone space to be creative, they have skills and ideas from their own culture which they want to express and share. A newly arrived person may be looking for a sewing machine or a wood plane to touch base with old skills and memories of their previous life. Someone who’s been here longer, as well as a recent migrant, may want to express their cultural heritage by painting or making a symbol reflecting the rich heritage they are rooted in. Some people are active and enjoy the outdoors giving us places to meet up and discover the locality or increase our fitness level.
If they say they can’t do anything like you do, offer to teach or coach them. Providing someone with materials, space and time to express themselves gives them value and self-worth. As you share your life, time and skills, there will be many opportunities to talk about the things that are important to you, such as naturally sharing about church services at the weekend, or a verse that meant something to you in your quiet time. When a problem or challenge is expressed, offering prayer and expressing your hope in a prayer answering God comes naturally.
It is important to recognise that we too can be on the receiving end of training or direction. The person we are talking to may have a skill or ability we want to learn or discover or develop in. Asking for help and advice can build a relationship which honours and elevates our friend in a culture where they may often feel ignored or put down.
I’ve never trained as an artist, but I have a small painting kit which I take around with me. One day when I was sitting in a café, a mother came in with two noisy active children. She was struggling to keep them under control and chat with her friends. I got out my paints and offered to let the children paint. I shared with them some basic techniques I’ve learnt and off they went fully occupied leaving the mother space to relax with her friends. When the lady got up to go, I was able to share something about the creator God who loved her and her children.
More often, I will offer to paint a picture for someone and use the picture I’m painting as a bridge to share about God or Jesus. Sometimes I offer the other person a paint brush and paper giving them an opportunity to be creative too. Sharing what we have painted opens the door to conversations about life and faith.[1]
One of my friends spends time doing crafts. She chatted to the mother of one of her pupils about what she did. The lady was interested and my friend invited her to meet up so she could explain more and show some examples. The craft caught the lady’s interest, and she wanted to learn how to do it. My friend invited her to her home, and they made crafts based on Bible stories and truths of the gospel.
When you cook buns or cakes, have you ever through of making extra and taking them to your Muslim neighbour? In many Muslim cultures, sharing food in this way is the normal way for neighbours to behave. You will find your gift is reciprocated and an opportunity may arise to exchange recipes and cook together. What better place is there to naturally share life’s joys and challenges than in a kitchen as the food is prepared and cooked. And of course, when you are eating the results together.
Let’s be careful of saying “I can’t do that”, when we have natural gifts at our fingertips which will attract people and be the start of a friendship. Natural skills that God will use to break down barriers and build bridges creating opportunities to share our faith in a relaxing and natural environment.
[1] Re the use of painting, see https://www.mcsci.org.uk/userfiles/Painting%20God%E2%80%99s%20Message.pdf